The Greater Journey

Americans in Paris

By: David McCullough

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

The #1 bestseller that tells the remarkable story of the generations of American artists, writers, and doctors who traveled to Paris, fell in love with the city and its people, and changed America through what they learned, told by America’s master historian, David McCullough.

Not all pioneers went west.

In The Greater Journey, David McCullough tells the enthralling, inspiring—and until now, untold—story of the adventurous American artists, writers, doctors, politicians, and others who set off for Paris in the years between 1830 and 1900, hungry to learn and to excel in their work. What they achieved would profoundly alter American history.

Elizabeth Blackwell, the first female doctor in America, was one of this intrepid band. Another was Charles Sumner, whose encounters with black students at the Sorbonne inspired him to become the most powerful voice for abolition in the US Senate. Friends James Fenimore Cooper and Samuel F. B. Morse worked unrelentingly every day in Paris, Morse not only painting what would be his masterpiece, but also bringing home his momentous idea for the telegraph. Harriet Beecher Stowe traveled to Paris to escape the controversy generated by her book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Three of the greatest American artists ever—sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, painters Mary Cassatt and John Singer Sargent—flourished in Paris, inspired by French masters.

Almost forgotten today, the heroic American ambassador Elihu Washburne bravely remained at his post through the Franco-Prussian War, the long Siege of Paris, and the nightmare of the Commune. His vivid diary account of the starvation and suffering endured by the people of Paris is published here for the first time.

Telling their stories with power and intimacy, McCullough brings us into the lives of remarkable men and women who, in Saint-Gaudens’ phrase, longed “to soar into the blue.”

A History and Fine Arts Course in a Book

Like all McCullough's books, reading The Greater Journey is an educational experience couched in excellent historical non-fiction writing. It would probably be very surprising to many people to learn how much the French contributed to literature, science, the arts and architecture in the 19th and early 20th century. I have not visited Paris but I will have no problem navigating when I do next year. McCullough makes the city alive in my mind and I will be able to picture all of our country's early artists and writers sitting on their stools in the Louvre or on the benches of the parks or in the small studios tucked away on the Left Bank.

The fact that this book is so long made me happy - I did not want it to end!

Listening pleasure

Any additional comments?

David McCullough manages to weave the biographies of a dozen 19th century American painters, writers, physicians and diplomats into an engaging and totally pleasurable experience. The only disappointment was that it ended; the only shortcoming was that it lacked photographs and pictures.

Would liked to have given it 6 stars!

Exceptional insight into the influence of Paris and its culture upon the Americans of the 19th and early 20th century. Narrative by Edward Hermann is world class. Plan to listen to and read it again before next trip to Paris.

McCullough and Paris

Again his thorough research enlivens a period of history we might not have considered reading.

Fairly interesting, very informative.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend the book to anyone with a passing interest in the 19th century artist and scientist of America, and the role France had to play in their development. In scope it is not on par with 'John Adams' or Truman', but enteretaining.

Would you be willing to try another book from David McCullough? Why or why not?

Absolutely. he is one of the best biographer and story tellers today.

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

His performance was very good, but for some reason I cannot figure out, part of the narration is done by what sounds like a computerized monotone female voice. Her part of it is very small and poorly done that does make one wonder which why Edward Hermann did not narrate the whole thing? Where they just being cheap??

Any additional comments?

overall good. not on par with the greats of David McCollough. Good reader except for small snippets done by monotone computerized female voice.